4X4 Front End Leveling

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I searched for something on this, but couldn't find what I was looking for. I would like to know if anyone makes a part/kit to raise the front end 1-2". I don't tow very much, and I would like my truck to sit about level (front end is definitely lower - more noticeable with the 285's vs. the stock 245's). Any help would be very much appreciated!!!

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1999 2500 QC 4X4 LB Auto 4. 10 Driftwood - 275HP Injectors, Boost Regulator & Elbow, K&N Air Filter, Brushguard, Spray-in Liner, 285/75R16 BFG AT KO's, Nerf Bars, Black Diamond Plate Deep Well Tool Box
2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4X4
NRA Member

 

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TX,

I believe "Explorer" makes a suspension leveling kit. A friend has it on his 99'
4x4 and it's real nice. Does Skyjacker make one too?? Kit runs around $500-$600 and this includes new shocks, arms, coil spacers etc.

 

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TX,
A friend with a gas 2500 runs 285's. He simply added those rubber coil spacers and found the extra height he needed due to his plow.
I saw and add for a spacer that mounts at the top of the coil. Not sure if the coils were stock or not. Maybe a recent 4x4 truck magazine.

 

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TX I have a set of 2inch spacers from tuff country thats all I used but it seems it sits a little higher in the front now.

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1998. 5 4x4 cummins auto.
Flame red SLT.
3. 54 gears.
2inch front leveling kit.
285/75/16 Country squire radial R/T tires on stock chrome wheels.
JVC cd player.
lots of stainless and aluminum trim.
4 inch exhaust turbo back in the mail.
K@N filter.
electronic speedo recalibrator.
Aluminum 120 gallon service tank and tool box combo.

 

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Rancho sells a 2" & a 3" lift kit for the Ram.
I had it in my 2500 and it did make it ride flat and level. But when I loaded my camper, I couldn't get it up in the back enough to make it level again.

So, when I got my 3500, I kept the dual shock set up that came with the lift kit, but left the spacers out. All there is to the "lift" part of the kit is a 2" spacer that goes between the stock spring and the bottom of the shock tower.

Nice quality kit, however the threads in the spacers gauled up on me when I took them out.

Shawn

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98. 5 3500 24v 5Sp 4X4 SLT w/4" turbo back stainless exhaust, Pyro & Boost Gages, and Boost Module. (Banks Stinger+ Pkg), Rancho RS9000(6), Hadley Air Horns, Warn 12K winch, DD Stage III, K&N, DD Extream Duty Clutch, Firestone Air Lift Bags in the rear & a few other goodies.

 

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Hey David - Can you find out where your buddy got the rubber spacers? Also do you know if his truck sits perfectly level, or still a little low in front? I really want just an inch or so - I think 2" will put it perfectly level and then when I have my 4-wheeler, etc. in the bed or towing it'll be low in the back. I'm picky, huh???

Stubbe, How exactly does yours sit now?

Thanks guys!

 

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I bought the skyjacker leveling coils so that if I needed any more lift later I could just add the 2 or 3" spacers that Pro-Comp sells and my Heckethorn shocks will accomodate the extra height without having to buy new ones.

They also equalled the too soft front to the stiffer rear ride and eliminated the terrible bucking that my truck was experiencing with bumps on the highway.

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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4,Intense Blue Pearlcoat,fully loaded w/Agate leather interior,5-speed,4. 10 limited slip,Leveling kit,Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual end to end steering stabilizers,35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels,9004 Cool Blue's,Silencer Ring removed,Fog Lights relay pulled,No muffler,No resonator,4" straight pipe.

 

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Measured the truck's height difference last night and used a floor jack to raise the front EXACTLY 2" (top of tire to bottom of fenderwell) - truck was 1/4" higher in the front than the back. 1" would be perfect. I already have the 046/039 spring combo (usually on snow plow prep package), so the ride is stiff enough. I guess I'll have to work with a welding shop to build a "custom" spacer.

 

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I would recommend going with the leveling coils first, then if you need any extra height you can just install some spacers and an add-a-leaf in the rear. Be sure of your plans. I thought ahead and ordered shocks for a 4" lift even though I was lifting it only 2". This I did in case I did go up another 2-3" I wouldn't have to buy new shocks again. Don't worry I've never come close to bottoming out my shocks,even crossing a ditch because of these springs stiffness.

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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4,Intense Blue Pearlcoat,fully loaded w/Agate leather interior,5-speed,4. 10 limited slip,Leveling kit,Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual end to end steering stabilizers,35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels,9004 Cool Blue's,Silencer Ring removed,Fog Lights relay pulled,No muffler,No resonator,4" straight pipe.

 

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WOWZY,

How much did the leveling coils raise your truck? I'm about to the point of giving up - everything I find is 2+", nothing less. I didn't want to have to lift the rear any - it's plenty high for me now. I don't tow alot, but I do tow sometimes and don't want the truck too high.

 

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TX, I seem to have missed your signiture. Do you have a 2500LD or a 2500HD? I know that the 2500LD sits about 1-1. 5" lower than my truck in the rear. My leveling coils put my truck about 1/2" higher inthe front than the rear. The down slope of the hood and the fenders made the truck look lower in the front but the tape doesn't lie. I haven't measured it in 8 months and I know that new springs will settle a bit. But I cant tell any difference. All I know is my truck sure does stand proud now and doesn't look like it has Osteoperosis. Don't worry,if you have an HD you'll wish you'd leveled it sooner. As for a 2500LD,I'm sure they make a kit for them.

Happy Jacking
I get compliments almost everyday on how MEAN my truck looks.
P. S. As far as towing goes, when you lift the front end your hitch will actually tilt down which should help in leveling your trailer.
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'99 2500HD Quad Cab 4x4,Intense Blue Pearlcoat,fully loaded w/Agate leather interior,5-speed,4. 10 limited slip,Leveling kit,Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks w/dual end to end steering stabilizers,35x12. 50x16. 5 BFG's on 9. 75x16. 5 Eagle 589 Aluminum Wheels,9004 Cool Blue's,Silencer Ring removed,Fog Lights relay pulled,No muffler,No resonator,4" straight pipe.

[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 05-13-2000). ]

 

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Tx, just a thought, you might want to take the rear blocks to a machine shop and have 1" taken off. Or just replace them with new shorter ones.

 

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GMOSS, Shorter is not an option! #ad


WOWZY, it's an HD. Front springs are the same as the snowplow prep package, HD Transfer case, etc. My concern was more how the back is going to really look low with a load on it, not really the hitch position (I have one of the Reese adjustable slide-ins for my receivers - it's awesome if anyone is wondering).

I think I'll just wait until I get ready, and do the 2" lift on the whole truck, and machine down the rear spacer about 1".

Thanks for the help guys!

 

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Didn't someone post that the 2500 with the 360 uses shorter blocks on the rear springs, when put on ours, levels the whole thing?

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, SLT, 4X4, LWB, Ext Cab, ISSPRO pillar, TST 280/685 all the way forward, AFC housing all the way forward, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, Injectors, K&N, Monicas silencer ring removed, Exhaust brake, 4" CAT back & CATless, 4" chrome turn down straight out back, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s.

 

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Great thread, very educational.
I am looking for 2 inches and wanted to avoid the rubber block. (any car parts store)

I am thinking of the warn xformer and a heavy winch.

I think the two inch spacer + shock mount kit will do it for me.

 

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Hey TXRam I Have a two inch on the front of my beloved ram. The height is just right I think you will be happy with it(mild not wild). I got mine at Les Schwab for less than $200 installed.
NRA FOREVER


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99 2500 QC SB 4x4 5sp 3. 54 LSD 285/75/16 Rancho 9000s A. R. E. Camper Shell etc. etc.

 

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I saw the blocks in an autostore this weekend. I doubt you really want them, but it does offer flexiblity that installing the 2" does not.

 

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Have those of you with the coil spacers or lift springs changed the lower control arm or any steering linkages in conjunction with the front end lift? How did the lift affect the handling qualities (steering radius, tracking, tire wear, etc. )?

WOWZY: Are you saying that your skyjacker leveling coils are stiffer than your stock? I'm looking for stiffness as well. I have the 039/046 combo now.

Thanks...

 

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What I am looking for is just the top spring spacers. Do any of you people know who makes these. 2" minimum, 2 1/2" would be nice, 3" might be too high. I don't want to buy the whole nine yard lift kit like I did twice before. Which were Rancho. But this time all I want is just spacers that go on top of the springs. But, I don't know who just sells the spacers. If any of you could give me any 1043 of this subject, it would be highly appreciated. The Ram needs cosmetic work more than go power because if a Ram don't look good, who gives a s**t how fast it goes.

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'01 Q/Cab ISB diesel, 235/460, 2500, 4X4, shortbed, auto. , sport package, 3. 54 suregrip, SLT Plus, camper & tow package 241HD, sliding window, cab lights, camel/tan/leather/heated seats, Cassette & CD (all in one). Mark installed modifications: Mickey Thompson Challenger 16x8, BFG All-Terrain 295x75S, McGard lifetime lugnuts and locks, Bushwacker extend-a-fender flares (color matched), JC Whitney rear window louvers(color matched), VentShade side window louvers (color matched), Lund screen front for grill (black), ClimAir window visor (clear), entire tailgate protector (brand unknown), Pop&Lock power tailgate lock, aluminum front bed protector (DeeZee), 1/4" rubber bed mat (brand unknown but nothin' slides on this baby), Back Country nerf bars (only 1 step, not 2 with rhino coating, black), Husky Liner front & rear floor mats (Tan), Dodge sill step moldings (black), Warn receiver shackle (in case I get stuck), Dodge front tow hooks, not installed yet also (in case I get stuck), MagnaGuard rear differential cover with sightglass (with Amsoil 75W-90 series 2000 gear lube), Dodge anti-splash mud flaps (black), Amsoil remote oil filtration system, CB radio (148GTL), RE0880 K&N air filter, Mopar Fold-A-Cover bed cover and the most important of them all "FLAME RED".
Other Money Pit:
'69 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible, Limelight Green Metallic (F5 code), 318 auto. (soon to be 360/380 crate motor), bucket seats, console, SS Cragers, BFG Radial TA, (not fast but, damn it looks as good as the Ram and worth just as much)

 

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Try Tuff Country - I talked to Jeff a couple of weeks ago 1(800)288-2190. 2" Spacer (not rubber - heavy steel).